Recent Home Theater Editorials

Tidal and MQA have announced that all Android devices are now MQA-ready! The latest version of Tidal’s Android app has the MQA decoder built in, so subscribers to Tidal’s HiFi tier can now enjoy the service’s growing catalog of high-resolution “Tidal Masters” content on their mobile devices. MQA also aims to deliver high-res audio to cars, as demonstrated in a “proof-of-concept” listening experience at CES 2019. Read on to learn more.

Samsung has announced that it will no longer produce and distribute Blu-ray players in the US. The announcement means that Samsung will also abandon the roll-out a new 4K ultra high definition Blu-ray player that had been slated for release later this year. It’s shocking news from a company that has been a major backer of Blu-ray since the very beginning. The news could be the writing on the wall for the future of disc-based media in general. And, how might it be possible to blame Apple? We'll find a way, as we lament the tragedy that will someday become - the day the disc-media dies.

Is Star Trek: Discovery the solid performer that CBS needs it to be to make their paywall App a success? Some believe that the controversial new Star Trek show may have already seen its final season. Although, by all outward appearances it doesn’t seem likely. CBS has announced two new Star Trek series. But to some, the announcement is further evidence that the producers are looking for a new direction, possibly because Discovery has been a misfire for CBS and its streaming service All Access. Let’s examine the latest pop-culture conspiracy theory has Star Trek: Discovery facing cancellation.

Among loudspeaker manufacturers, Klipsch made the biggest splash at CES last month due to the large spread of different products that they announced. Soundbars, wireless speakers, wireless earbuds, and portable tabletop speakers loaded with the latest technology, Klipsch has something for everyone, unless, of course, you have a distaste for their vintage aesthetic. Klipsch seems to enjoy the irony of giving state-of-the-art technology an old-fashioned appearance. If you like that nod to the past combined with the technology of tomorrow, read on to see what Klipsch brought for 2019.

The latest rumor about Apple comes via online prediction from Variety that says the iPhone maker will acquire Sony Pictures in 2019. Apple has big-budget plans to push into original content production for its upcoming streaming video service, and acquiring an established studio may be its strategy to help it compete with Netflix and Amazon in 2019.

Bose. The mere mention of the name conjures up all manner of reaction, response and opinion from the audio community. Are their products really as awful as some people think? Are they really "all marketing and no engineering?" Here's a fascinating look from an "insider" who was there when the AM-5 and Wave Radio were introduced. Some things will confirm your suspicions and some things will surprise the heck out of you. Be sure to watch our related YouTube video discussion on "Why Audiophiles Hate Bose" for further insights.

What can wild west outlaw Arthur Morgan teach America’s legions of gaming young males about masculinity in modern times? During times of existential crisis in America, the old West has a way of returning to popular consciousness. Red Dead Redemption 2 has arrived at a time when young men may have never been so unsure of their place in the world. Got an Xbox One or PS4? You'll want to get a copy of this game. Read on to find out why.

The president’s escalating tariff war is wreaking havoc on American businesses that rely on Chinese manufacturing and supply chains. The results are higher prices for consumers, and real risk to small audio businesses, which may not be able to survive in the current climate. Read on to hear from makers of consumer loudspeakers, wireless headphones, high-end audiophile electronics, and professional recording gear, to learn how the tariffs are affecting their businesses. Check out our recent Youtube discussion as of 6/23/19.

The Exodus 1 is a new smartphone by HTC featuring extra security measures for your blockchain, cryptocurrency keys and other data completely off-grid. A separate processor, walled off from the CPU running the android OS, provides a secure environment to store cryptocurrency keys and sensitive login information, without the security hazards of sharing to the cloud or with any apps on your device. It also features up-to-date specs for today's flagship phones. But if this phone is a must-have for you, get out your Bitcoin or Ethereum, because you can only buy the Exodus 1 directly from HTC using cryptocurrency. It's sure to be a niche device, so HTC has only made limited supply.

Brooklyn-based headphone startup Even says that every listener has a unique “EarPrint,” like a fingerprint that affects the way we hear. Its new technology tests your hearing and automatically adjusts the sound to create a personalized listening experience. Is this the future of headphone audio, or is it just a gimmick?

Bowers & Wilkins, the famous British audio brand, is announcing the relocation of its world-famous research and development center to a new and larger facility with cutting-edge equipment and tools. The move represents a significant investment to expand the team and accelerate the company’s ability to develop new capabilities that will drive innovation across its suite of luxury home speakers, headphones and performance car audio. We got a chance to talk to B&W about their new facility and ask some in depth questions every Audioholic wants to know.

We managed to sit down with Bill Dudleston, founder of Legacy Audio for a one-on-one interview about his brand and loudspeaker designs that have garnered so much industry respect over the years. Their core philosophy and no-nonsense approach to loudspeaker design has always resonated with me and has been a personal inspiration to learn more about the art and science of loudspeaker design. Combine top quality parts, excellent craftsmanship and engineering and you're left with... a Legacy product. Check out our recently added YouTube On-Location Video.

Last month, we took a humorous trip down memory lane and recounted some of the most glorious failures in audio-video history. Now, we’re going to shift gears a bit and focus on what went right. In this article we’re going to look at the specific technologies and product categories that have paved the way for the role A/V electronics play in our lives today. See what made our list of the most successful A/V consumer electronics for the last 50 years.

After a stellar 14-year run, Oppo has announced that it will begin the process of ending manufacturing of new products. Customers needn’t worry, Oppo will continue to honor warranties and will even continue out-of-warranty repair while also providing periodic firmware updates for its current blu-ray players. Oppo was an exceptional AV company that truly cared about the quality of their products and serving their customers and are proving it even as they are winding down their business.